This document discusses test solutions for the solar power installation and maintenance market. It describes the different types of solar power systems for residential, commercial, industrial, and power provider applications. These systems face challenges related to insulation resistance, detecting faulty solar panels, monitoring electrical output, and troubleshooting solar panel strings from a distance. The document recommends various test instruments that can help address these challenges, including insulation resistance meters, thermal imagers, current probes, and wireless digital multimeters.

1. This information is subject to change without notice.
© Keysight Technologies, 2015
Published in Malaysia, July 10, 2015
5992-0961EN
www.keysight.com
Solar Power Installation & Maintenance Test Solutions
Market
Test challenges
- Typically generate between
1 and 10 kW
- Choice of using battery
storage for personal usage
- Using grid-tied inverter
(on-grid) or standalone
inverter (off-grid)
- Choice of selling excess
power (net-metering)
Residential
- Typically generate between
10 kW and multi-MW
- May require to have advanced
system monitoring, controls
and remote shut-off
- Typically on-grid or
net-metering
Commercial & Industrial
- Perform periodic cable
insulation checks to ensure
optimum system operation
and efficiency
Insulation Resistance Meters
- Capable of detecting faulty
photovoltaic cells on solar
panels that reduce overall
output power
TrueIR Thermal Imagers
Solar PanelSolar Panel
Smart MeterSmart Meter
InverterInverter
Charge Controller
& Battery
Charge Controller
& Battery
Wire Cabling
& Interconnects
Wire Cabling
& Interconnects
Transformers &
Ground Fault Switches
Transformers &
Ground Fault Switches
- A non-intrusive monitoring of
electrical output currents for
setup and troubleshooting tasks
Current Probes- Capable of capturing up to four
wireless measurements
simultaneously as far as 100 m away
to troubleshoot solar panel strings.
Wireless Digital Multimeters
Solar Eco System
- Typically generate in
multi-MW and trending
towards sizes above 100 MW
- Advance system monitoring,
controls and remote shut-off
- Huge scale inverters,
combiners and transformers
connected to high voltage
grid
Power Providers
Transformer & Switch ManufacturersTransformer & Switch Manufacturers Local Energy AuthoritiesLocal Energy Authorities Cable & Interconnect ManufacturersCable & Interconnect ManufacturersInverter ManufacturersInverter Manufacturers Smart Meter ManufacturersSmart Meter Manufacturers Installation & Maintenance ProvidersInstallation & Maintenance ProvidersSolar Panel ManufacturersSolar Panel Manufacturers
For more information, please visit: www.keysight.com/find/handheld-tools
Unlocking Measurement Insights
Reliable linkage
to power grid
Reliable linkage
to power grid
Power conversion
efficiency
Power conversion
efficiency
Power storage reliabilityPower storage reliability
Power transmission
reliability
Power transmission
reliability
Optimum power
generation
Optimum power
generation